An Incredible Week

I knew that when last week started off by meeting very interesting people in Wal-Mart, it was going to be a great one... and it was.

One reason was the fact that I was able to Skype my family on Christmas!!!!! And although it wasn't nearly for as long as I wanted it to be, it was one of the best Christmas gifts ever! I so look forward to seeing them again on Mother's Day. I love them!

Christmas day was good. :) We were able to feed some old folks in an Adult Family Home where several elderly people live. And we sang Christmas Carols with them and it was just really sweet. The cycle of life is incredible... seeing people heading towards the next life is humbling and hearing of their experiences is incredible.

So, I cut my finger this week... with a butter knife. It's possible.

And Sister Allen and I have had some scary experiences in the dark streets at night where we end up bolting into the car and locking the doors. Haha. I think it's just in our heads most of the time, but it's still scary. Haha!

We had an incredible lesson with a husband of a member in our ward. Selena was a member who hadn't been to church in a long time until earlier this year. Her husband Pat and her are completely in love and it's the cutest thing. He always calls her "my love" in the most genuine way, so you know by the time you leave their house that she is not just his wife, she is HIS LOVE. Haha. I have been corrected sometimes. ;P Anywho, we had our first lesson and he is feeling the Spirit so strong and everything we teach connects to his heart immediately. He will be baptized in on February 8th. He's working on changing his work schedule so that he can attend church on Sundays.

Last, but not least SAM WAS BAPTIZED, RECEIVED THE GIFT OF THE HOLY GHOST, AND WAS CONFIRMED A MEMBER OF THE CHURCH THIS WEEK! :D

Sam is incredible! He has progressed sooo much and is blessing his family tremendously! It was amazing to see his desire fulfilled as he was baptized on Saturday. The room was full of everyone who loved and supported him, so big that we had to go to the chapel instead of just the room. Then on Sunday he was blessed to receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. He is now excited to receive the Priesthood so he can bless pass the sacrament... something he has wanted to do since he came here. Miracles can happen with 14 year old boys.

Welp, transfers are already happening next week. :0 We'll see what happens this time. I really have no clue... but then again... I never do.

I hope everyone has an awesome day! And a great new year. Let's all make some New Year's Resolutions that we will remember and ones that actually matter in the long run... I really am going to try.

Matthew 6:19-21
19 Lay not up for yourselves ^atreasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves ^bbreak through and steal: 20 But lay up for yourselves ^atreasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor ^bsteal:
 21 For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.

OH! Here's a message I love about Fathers on earth and our Father in Heaven. It definitely puts a perspective on God's role in all of our everyday lives...even if we don't realize it. I seriously cry every time I see this. Bahaha!

http://www.mormonchannel.org/video/mormon-messages?v=2119328537001

Until next time, I'll be doing it the Federal Way.

Love,

Sister Pearson :)

Merry Almost Christmas!!! :)

Hello all! :)

It's been quite the week.

We got snow!!!!! And much to my and Sister Allen's joy we had soaking wet, numb feet the entire day! Woohoo! I suppose it's not wise to wear boots with holes in them... but something had me laughing to the point of tears that day. We decided to knock on a few doors and Sister Allen was just having some difficulty walking and I didn't understand why... so I look down at her feet and it looks like she's wearing snow platform shoes. Apparently there is fuzz on the bottom of her shoes that the snow would get stuck to and build up, so by the time she had gone a few steps she had gigantic snowballs under her feet and her shoe would get stuck on the floor and I'd have to go get it. I can't describe it justly, but I was crying.

We were almost the reason a member's dog got hit by a car... luckily, it didn't. But that was the second dog I have chased on my mission so far. I assume it will not be the last.

We had the follow-up new missionary training meeting for Sister Allen this week and that was nice, we also had Zone Meeting (one bigger than a district) and we received training for our Zone Leaders. They are awesome missionaries and so are all the missionaries out here it's incredible.

One of the members bought some Electrode Muscle thing and I got to try that. It was pretty weird! I can't really describe it because I don't know what it is. You stick little wires on yourself and it like tenses up your muscles. It was sweet.

We had a pretty awesome experience talking to some man in his garage. It's so incredible helping other develop faith in Jesus Christ. When you see that spark in their eyes. You see hope. I wouldn't rather be doing anything in the world at this time in my life. Especially at this Christmas season. Being a missionary, we're stripped of the usual materialistic Christmas. It's not hectic and rushed and about buying presents or getting the best lights up in the neighborhood... we get to talk to people and help them remember or realize for the first time WHY we have Christmas. The Savior was born, lived, died and rose again for us, and because of Him, all wrongs can be made right.

For those of you who like music more watch this video depicting important events in the life of Jesus Christ:
http://www.mormonchannel.org/christmas-videos?v=2008190983001

The Nativity- For those of you who'd rather have words watch this video:
http://www.mormonchannel.org/bible-videos?v=2893093383001

I think those are both awesome videos perfect for the season. :)

I am really looking forward to Skyping with my family (even though it will only be for 40 minutes)! :) We will also be helping at an Adult Home on Christmas which will be awesome! :)

Also, today is the first latter day Prophet Joseph Smith's birthday. For those of you who may or may not know who he is or what he's done.. or may have heard from correct or incorrect sources. I invite you to discover from correct sources who he is. As members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints we do not worship Joseph Smith. We worship Jesus Christ. God, being the father of our Spirits wants us to return to live with Him again. As you can see in the Bible, He had a pattern of teaching the Gospel of Jesus Christ to Prophets (Amos 3:7). These prophets recieved revelation from God to direct and teach the people and held the Priesthood giving them the ability to perform . The people would follow them for a time, but then reject the prophet. God would withdraw that power to act in His name for a time until the people were ready and He would call another Prophet. Then we have Jesus Christ who came according to this pattern as well, but in addition to being a Prophet, He was the Savior that all the Prophets had been testifying would come. He created His church, bestowing the power to act in God's name to His apostles. He taught what we need to do in order to have peace in this life and return to live with God. When He and His apostles were killed, that power to act in God's name was no longer on the earth and Christ's doctrine was changed... being interpreted by man instead of being revelation from God. In 1820, Joseph Smith was confused as to which church was true... which church he should join. After reading in the bible, James 1:5... he decided to ask God. His experience goes as follows...

http://www.lds.org/media-library/video/2008-06-01-the-restoration?lang=eng

He was the one... through God, who (not reformed a church) but restored Christ's church and the powers to administer the ordinances (things like baptism) that we need. Anywho, you can probably learn more about it on Mormon.org.

But I've got to go so you all have an incredible Christmas. Spend time with your loved ones! :)

Love, Sister Pearson:)

'Tis the Season

Hello everyone! :)

I've realized I have extremely neglected to take note of some of the funny things that happened this week... oops. But I guess that's okay because I guess that just means there are more important things to be said!

Well, to my own dismay I have cried in two people's homes this week... don't worry it wasn't bad tears. But after I left the house I just thought "Seriously. That's embarrassing." But you just can't help it when you're feeling the Spirit I suppose. One lady said she really appreciates my "vulnerability." Hahaha! Yeahhh. Sometime you just really need to say things to people and when you say them you realize it's from God I guess. And then it just makes you... well, cry. Bahah!

Anywho. Besides my small waterworks much has happened this week.

Sam told us he wanted to be baptized! His baptism will be on December 28th! We are soooooooo excited for him! He's just an awesome 15-year-old kid. One of the nicest and most generous 15-year-olds I've ever met. Of course, he's pretty hilarious too so that helps. And his soon-to-be-parents are awesome too! Sam is ready and soooo excited to make this step in life. He wants to be cleansed from sin and take upon Him the name of Christ forever after. It will definitely be a sweat experience come the 28th. We are so happy for him.

I can't remember if I told you this already in my last email or not, BUT I got a pretty awesome question from someone the other week. One I will forever remember... we were at that little wedding ceremony and we were walking by and lady probably in her early 20's excitedly asked me "Are you a nun?!" I couldn't help but laugh just because I don't think I ever expected to be asked that. I told her I wasn't and explained a little bit. It was just great.

We had Elder Corbridge of the Quorum of the 70 come speak to us last week and that was an awesome experience. He talked to us about placing more focus on the Atonement of Jesus Christ, or Jesus Christ's suffering for our sins and over coming death that we might live with God again if we follow His gospel. That EVERYTHING we teach revolves around the Savior and how He did for us what we cannot do for ourselves. Pretty fitting around this time of the year I'd say.

We also had a little Christmas get together with half the mission the other night. We sang carols and did a white Elephant gift exchange where I got a Mexican been maraca thing. Pretty sweet. And I actually did end up singing and playing guitar to Silent Night. So it was pretty fun. :)

There is a man who I'd like to speak about a little bit. I won't say his name, but he is teaching me so much. His family is all active in the Church, but he hasn't been since he was a teenager. He's now 60. Between that time he had gotten into super heavy drugs. I guess he just hit a point in his life and told us he wants that spiritual aspect in his life. That thinking about everything going on in the world is just so scary and can take over him and worry him, but he wanted that peace in knowing that things really will work out. That we can have peace during times of unrest. And he has jumped back into the Gospel head first. I have watched him express his testimony of the Savior's forgiveness and witnessed him weeping as he listened to someone else's testimony. It is incredible to see how God is working with this man and helping him overcome his struggles and giving him the faith to act. These things are the things that make me realize how much I love being a missionary. Simply witnessing others changing their lives to become who God wants them to become. It is incredible!

Sooo, the other night we got out of the car to knock on someone's door and we started walking when Sister Allen stopped dead in her tracks. She said "Oh my gosh, do you see that dog there?" I replied "Huh? You mean that's not a fire hydrant?" Sure enough it was a huge husky-like dog that was not inclosed in a fence or anything... it looked a little ferocious. We ran back in the car.

Well, we have a little Christmas tree and a nativity in our apartment (thanks Mom) and are listening to different Christmas songs. And I LOVE IT!  At church the idea was presented to me that we should all try giving a gift to the Savior this Christmas. Let's all try it! Be a little nicer! Do something for someone else! I'm guessing you would know best what God wants you to do in your life at this time, so let's do it! :)

Hope you guys are all doing wonderful!

Until next time I'll be doing it the Federal Way!

Much love,

Sister Pearson :)

Left Overs

Hmmm. This week was weird. The freezing weather has finally hit. Chills you straight to the bone that's for sure. I most likely won't have any toes or fingers when I get back. And supposedly it's going to be a colder winter than usual... go figure. Haha. :) All is well though. It will be good.

We had a lesson with an investigator at the mission president's home and that was pretty awesome! We also had our Ward's Christmas party which was sweet and the Stake Nativity thing which was sweet too! Lot's of people came and got to feel the Christmas Spirit. We had to man an art walk of Christ's life. It was probably only several feet long, behind some curtains and it was different artwork of Christ's life from His birth to a tomb built at the end with His folded clothes on top of it representing His resurrection. The Spirit was so strong in that small section of the building. Christ lived and died for us and continues to live for us.

One good and bad thing about Ward parties are left-overs. We. Have. Tons. I don't know how they expect two Sisters to eat 39874234 pounds of mashed potatoes, turkey, and butter. But I guess they do. 'Tis the season.

We had our first power outage last Monday. I had to write some letters in the dark. Someone ran into a power line...

Sister Graney is letting me borrow her guitar for a little! :) It is wonderful. I think I'm going to do something at the mission Christmas get together thing this week... but I haven't practiced at all so we'll have to see. Also, a General Authority is coming to speak to our mission this week. Elder Corbridge. That's pretty exciting. :)

Although, the cold is pretty bitter and rejection abounds, I am 

witnessing the hand of the Lord in everyday. There really are miracles in everyday. As I teach people about the Savior and His Restored Gospel my testimony of it grows along with theirs. Life isn't easy and it wasn't meant to be. If the Savior of all mankind had to drink from the bitter cup, so must we. Even Him, being perfect endured torment, ridicule, and agony as He suffered the will of His Father. He showed us, like Elder Holland tells us, that salvation isn't cheap and it requires sacrifice. Whether it be time or resources or convenience, we will have to sacrifice for Jesus Christ and His work. As we sacrifice, we are blessed.

On that spiritual note, I hope all is well in the HD. I miss you all. And tomorrow marks 5 months out in the field! Time is still weird. 

Also, everyone go say hi to former Elder Hubler, now Dalton Hubler! He got back from his 2 year mission in Chile last week! :)

Happy December :)

Hmmm. The past several days have been pretty unique. Not like anything else since I've been on my mission... for multiple reasons, of which I'm not even completely sure... they just felt different.

One reason is probably because I've been hit with the responsibility of training a new missionary. Which is proving to be awesome. We will both learn so much from each other. :)

Another reason was simply the schedule. We had a Thanksgiving activity (I had never been to an activity where all the missionaries come together before) and we had our normal schedule switched up because Sister Allen was just getting into the field and we had to go to a new missionary meeting and do some of our Preparation Day things on a different day and whatnot, so it was a bit scrambled up... nevertheless, we are back on our feet and ready for the next 5 weeks of the transfer. :)

Because of the weirdness of the week, I forgot to take note of the things that happened so I'll just try to mention a few that I remember.

Well, a member answered there door with a handgun. That was interesting... Sister Allen said she's lucky she didn't see it or she would have ran... she's already a little apprehensive about all of the dogs around here.

Oh, Thanksgiving. We had an interesting Thanksgiving. The first part of the day we got together with half of the missionaries from the Federal Way mission and played basketball, volleyball, ping pong, board games, and had a little choir practice for the Christmas program that we are having on the 13th. That was pretty fun. :) And then the Graneys always put on a little Thanksgiving thing at the church for anyone who wants to come, so we went to that and it was nice. We later realized only a couple random people said they would feed us dessert and so we didn't really have a place to go for dinner. But the brother who said he wanted us to try his cheesecake made us some plates of food and sent us on our merry way.... then we had 3 hours of planning. Woop-woop. Happy Turkey Day. :) Hahaha!

I'm realizing now that I actually have to drive, that the darkness really gets me lost even with a GPS. Thank goodness for U turns and curbs that you can drive on. Haha:)

I told Sister Allen that she came at a unique and awesome time in the field. We were able to attend a small wedding of a couple that we are starting to teach. It was the couple that delivered their twins extremely early and lost one of them. Well, the surviving twin is now with them at home finally and he is ADORABLE! And they were married on Saturday and we are now teaching them tonight... at President Eaton's home! No pressure. Haha. :) No, it should be amazing. We have so much hope for this sweet couple. They are examples of how a little nugget baby can truly change people. God has definitely had His eye on them and has a lot in store for them.

So yesterday we walked up to a couple who was putting up Christmas lights. We said hi and walked up, started talking about their lights and then said "Oh, there's a Nativity even happ..."  "Don't hand that to us, we will reject it. We are Atheists." *door shuts* Hmmm. We were taken a little off guard with that one. Haha! It was a tad confusing, but all is well. They were nice.

It's supposedly going to snow today. We had to scrape our windows for the first time the other day. This is going to be good. Haha:)

Hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving and is enjoying this awesome time of year. :)

Love,

Sister Pearson :)